Travel nursing is a fun career that combines your love of patient care with the adventure of seeing new places across the country. The demand for travel nurses has skyrocketed in recent years, with hospitals and clinics looking for temporary nurses to fill staffing gaps. If you’re a nurse who loves new challenges and traveling, travel nursing might be for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about finding travel nursing jobs, from the requirements and benefits to the best agencies and how to maximize your job search. Let’s get started with the 6 steps to find your dream travel nursing assignment.
What is a Travel Nurse?
Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) that take short-term assignments in healthcare facilities that are short-staffed. These assignments can range from a few weeks to several months and are often in cities or areas with a high demand for healthcare. Travel nurses are usually employed by staffing agencies that place medical professionals in temporary positions, although some may find jobs directly through healthcare facilities.
Job Description
The job duties of a travel nurse vary depending on the facility and specialty, but generally align with those of a registered nurse. Travel nurses will:
- Give medications, vaccines, and care to patients.
- Develop and implement patient care plans.
- Take patient vitals and conduct exams.
- Update patient medical records.
- Communicate with doctors, healthcare staff, and patient families.
- Assist in procedures and emergency care.
Travel nurses often work in high-demand areas such as intensive care units (ICUs), emergency rooms (ERs), operating rooms (ORs), and other specialty departments.
Step 1: Research High-Demand Specialties and Locations
The first step to finding a travel nursing job is to research specialties and locations that fit your career goals. Travel nursing covers a wide range of specialties, each with different levels of demand, pay, and job opportunities.
Popular Travel Nursing Specialties
Some nursing specialties are in high demand and can pay more due to the expertise required. If you have experience in any of these areas, you’ll find more job opportunities and better pay:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Emergency Room (ER)
- Operating Room (OR)
- Labor and Delivery (L&D)
- Telemetry
- Pediatric ICU (PICU)
- Neonatal ICU (NICU)
For example, travel nurses working in ICU and ER settings often get a premium due to the high acuity of patients and the advanced skills required to handle critical care situations. Nurses with certifications like ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) or PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) are highly sought after.
Location-Based Demand and Pay
Location plays a big role in travel nursing pay. Some states and cities pay more due to cost of living, healthcare demand, and seasonal needs. For example:
- California: One of the highest-paying states for travel nurses, with cities like San Jose paying over $100,000 per year.
- New York: High-paying opportunities in cities like NYC, especially for nurses in high-demand specialties.
- Florida and Arizona: Seasonal demand during winter months attracts higher pay for travel nurses willing to work during peak seasons.
Top Travel Nurse Destinations and Average Annual Salaries
- San Jose, CA – $104,359
- New York City, NY – $101,466
- Seattle, WA – $100,426
- Boston, MA – $100,201
- Los Angeles, CA – $97,798
Seasonal Demand
In states like Florida and Arizona, there is increased demand for healthcare professionals during the winter months when “snowbirds” or seasonal residents flock to warmer climates. Planning your assignments around these seasonal needs will increase your pay and give you opportunities to work in different locations throughout the year.
Step 2: Update Your Nursing Resume
Now that you’ve identified your specialty and target locations, the next step is to make sure your resume reflects your skills and experience in a way that will get you top travel nursing jobs.
Travel Nurse Resume Essentials
When updating your resume, focus on:
- Clinical Skills: Any specialized skills like cardiac care, trauma response, or neonatal care.
- Certifications: Include relevant certifications like ACLS, PALS, or CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse), which make you a more competitive candidate.
- Soft Skills: Interpersonal skills like empathy, adaptability, and conflict resolution – all highly valued in travel nursing.
- Previous Experience: Roles in high-stress or high-demand environments, as these show you can handle the challenges of travel nursing.
Customize your resume for each job, especially if the job posting mentions specific skills or experience you have. This will make your resume stand out from other applicants.
Step 3: Use Job Boards and Online Platforms
The internet has many resources for travel nurses. Specialized job boards and online platforms make it easier to find travel nursing jobs and compare assignments.
Top Job Sites for Travel Nursing
- Indeed: Lists various healthcare facilities and staffing agencies.
- TravelNurseSource: A platform for travel nurses to find assignments across the U.S.
-
Vivian: Allows nurses to search by location, pay rate, and specialty.
- American Mobile: A travel nurse staffing agency with job listings and resources for candidates.
You can filter job listings by location, specialty, and pay on these sites, so you can quickly find the best opportunities that match your criteria.
Set Up Job Alerts
Many job boards allow you to set up alerts, so you’ll be notified of new jobs that fit your criteria. This will save you time and ensure you don’t miss any new listings.
Step 4: Apply to Nursing Staffing Agencies
Most travel nurses work with staffing agencies that specialize in temporary healthcare placements. Working with an agency will simplify the job search and placement process.
Top Travel Nursing Agencies
- Aya Healthcare
- Amn Healthcare
- TLC Nursing
- Medical Solutions
- American Traveler
Benefits of Working with an Agency
Agencies handle most of the logistics for you – job placement, credential verification, and sometimes even housing. They can also offer:
- Housing stipends or free housing.
- Travel reimbursement for moving to a new location.
- Health insurance and retirement benefits.
These agencies have contracts with facilities, so they can offer assignments that may not be available elsewhere.
Step 5: Network with Nurses
Networking is a powerful tool for finding travel nursing jobs and learning about assignments. Connect with current or former travel nurses and get the inside scoop on agency reputations, pay rates, and what to expect from facilities.
How to Network
- Attend Nursing Conferences: Professional nursing associations like the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) have annual conferences where you can meet other travel nurses and industry reps.
- Join Facebook Groups: Facebook and LinkedIn have groups for travel nurses where members post job listings, tips, and support.
- Ask for Referrals: If you know nurses who travel, ask them to refer you to their agency or share job leads.
Networking can lead to hidden opportunities and relationships with agencies and facilities, which can mean better assignments and higher pay.
Step 6: Attend Job Fairs and Career Events
Job fairs and career events are a great place to meet recruiters and hiring managers from various facilities. Many hospitals and clinics attend these events to hire travel nurses and other temp staff.
Preparing for a Job Fair
- Bring Multiple Copies of Your Resume: Make sure your resume is current and customized for travel nursing.
- Dress to Impress: First impressions count, so look professional.
- Ask Questions: Use the opportunity to learn about the facility, ask about pay and benefits, and find out what support they offer to travel nurses.
Going to job fairs allows you to connect with recruiters and hiring managers personally, which can be helpful when they’re choosing candidates for assignments.
Travel Nursing Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons to help you decide if travel nursing is for you:
Pros
- Higher Pay: Travel nurses often earn more than staff nurses, especially in high-demand areas and specialties.
- Flexibility: You have control over when and where you work, with breaks between assignments.
- Professional Development: Working in different facilities helps you gain more experience and skills.
Cons
- Frequent Moves: Moving every few months can be tough, especially if you prefer stability.
- Limited Benefits: While travel nurses earn more, they may not always have the same benefits as permanent staff.
- Stressful Environment: Constantly adapting to new protocols and team dynamics can be mentally and emotionally draining.
Conclusion: Get the Most Out of Your Travel Nursing Career
Finding a travel nursing job that fits your goals requires research, networking, and planning. Follow these 6 steps to find the best opportunities, make informed decisions, and enjoy a rewarding and flexible nursing career.
Ready to get started? Connect with reputable agencies, update your resume, and stay active on job boards. Whether you’re an experienced nurse looking for a change or a new grad wanting to travel, the travel nursing world is your oyster.
Get Paid More as a Travel Nurse?
Now that you know how to find travel nursing jobs, you can make informed decisions and earn more. Whether you’re an experienced nurse or a new grad, knowing the best locations, specialties, and agencies will get you started on this exciting career path.
